May 12, 2015

After earning a 2-0 victory in their PDL season opener on Sunday night, the Seacoast United Phantoms turn their focus to Wednesday when they face GPS Massachusetts (USASA) in the first round of the 2015 Lamar Hunt Open Cup.

This will be the first Open Cup appearance in club history after receiving an automatic berth by winning the PDL's Northeast Division in 2014. Teams representing all US-based Division I, II, III, and professional levels will be represented in the Open Cup, as 91 clubs prepare for competition of the first round match ups on May 13th. The Phantoms are one of 19 Premier Development League teams participating in the 102nd edition of US Soccer's oldest and most prestigious competition.

First round pairings were announced on April 8th based on regional competition. This will be the 2nd appearance in Lamar Hunt Open Cup competition for GPS Massachusetts.

"We have a big opportunity in front of us," head coach Iain Scott said to his team on Sunday night after their win over the Real Boston Rams, in reference to the upcoming Open Cup match. "We need to approach this in a professional manner."

The winner of Wednesday's Open Cup matchup in Cambridge, MA (8pm, Buckingham Browne & Nichols School) will travel to Oklahoma to face Tulsa Roughnecks (USL-PRO). USL teams enter the competition in the 2nd round, with games taking place the week of May 20th.

2014 PDL MVP Finalist Anthony Grant joins the Phantoms on May 11th looking to pick up on his scorching pace of last season. The striker finished 2nd in the country in scoring with 14 goals and 29 points.

Having 13 players returning from last year's successful squad creates a great atmosphere both on and off the field.

"They're a cohesive unit who play for each other," commented Scott. The offensive production on Sunday night was generated by players in their 2nd year with the Phantoms in Terence Carter (2 goals) and Abel Perez (assist).

Seacoast United will jump back into PDL action on Saturday, May 16th when they travel north to face division rival GPS Portland at 6pm (Deering HS, Portland ME).

About Seacoast United Phantoms
The Seacoast United Phantoms compete in the Premier Development League (PDL), with a roster consisting of collegiate, post-collegiate, and international players looking to further their development during the summer months. For more on the Seacoast United Phantoms teams, please visit www.seacoastunited.com/phantoms.